Little Explorers

Education is the right of all children, no matter their age. Our Little Explorers program, designed for one- and two-year-olds, provides a safe and engaging environment where children can socialize with peers and develop cognitive skills.

Little Explorers provides a positive first educational experience in a nurturing environment, helping children realize that learning is fun. This program, designed for one- and two-year-olds, offers a safe space for social engagement and cognitive development, promoting their potential and fostering a love for learning.

Play is a child’s work, a vehicle for social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Little Explorers gives children opportunities to understand their world, interact with others, and explore their natural curiosity. The parents/caregivers provide security and support while the children openly explore invitations of loose parts, sensory experiences, music and movement, stories, and playtime throughout the program. 

Each child is unique, with development taking place at individual rates. Little Explorers embraces and nurtures this individuality, offering a fun, interactive, and enriching environment. The interactions between children, their caregivers, and the teachers promote a sense of accomplishment and growth. Our goal is to bring out the natural love of learning and inquisitive nature that is the essence of young children, all within a safe and caring environment.

Little Explorers Schedule

  • Fridays from 9:00 AM-10:15 AM (1- to 2-year-old children)

Little Explorers Cost

  • $350.00

Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to introduce a friend or family member to this opportunity, please share this information or contact Stephanie Skadra with names and email addresses, and we will do the rest.

Little Explorers Teachers & Staff

Claire Norman

Junior Kindergarten & Playgroups Coordinator

Art and Creativity

Art in the Little Explorers playgroups fosters creativity, self-expression, and fine motor skills in young children. Through activities like color mixing, exploring different art techniques, and collaborative projects, children develop cognitively, socially, and emotionally while enjoying the freedom to express their imaginations.

Gross Motor Skills Development

The Little Explorers playgroup promote gross motor skills development, enabling children to strengthen their muscles, improve coordination, and engage with peers in a dynamic and stimulating environment.

Group Play

Group play is essential for our toddlers as it helps develop social skills, such as sharing, cooperation, and empathy, while fostering language development through interaction with peers. In the Little Explorers playgroup, children benefit from group play by building relationships, learning to navigate social dynamics, and enhancing their communication abilities in a supportive and engaging setting.

PLAYgroup Summer Programs

The PLAYgroup summer programs offer engaging and enriching activities for young children, fostering creativity, social interaction, and developmental growth in a fun and supportive environment.

Tutoring & Multisensory Learning

Edge at Wheeling Country Day School is an on-campus instruction center for students with language-based learning differences. 

We Two

For students ready to graduate from Little Explorers, Wheeling Country Day School offers We Two for children turning two.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ages/grades are offered at WCDS?

Wheeling Country Day School has programs for children ages 1-14. Our Little Explorers & We Two program is offered as a once-a-week offering, while our preschool through 8th-grade programs provides full-day options. 

Is Wheeling Country Day School Accredited?

Wheeling Country Day School is fully accredited by the Independent School Association of the Central States (ISACS).

Do you provide Financial Aid and Scholarships?

Wheeling Country Day School offers Need-Based Flexible Tuition to enroll students who could not otherwise afford to attend. No qualified student should be deterred by financial restraints from applying to Wheeling Country Day School, and families who feel they need assistance are encouraged to apply.

Do you provide Before and After Care programs?

Wheeling Country Day School offers Before School Care for students from 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM. 

After School Care is provided until 5:30 PM. 

Before and After Care are optional add-ons to your monthly tuition. 

Learn More About Before and After Care Programs

Application

Apply Now

Applying online is easy with WCDS. Complete and submit your online application. This application confirms your interest and prompts the school’s consideration of your child. You can download and submit the records release form if your child currently attends kindergarten or above. 

Schedule Your Visit

Schedule Now

The school takes great pride in the fact that the Head of School meets with each family to engage in a mission/philosophy conversation. Admissions Events offer this group opportunity or you can contact the Admissions Office for special arrangements. 

Experience WCDS by coming to the campus for an age-appropriate visit with faculty and peers. 

Diversity Statement

Learn More

WCDS seeks to purposefully build an environment that reflects and honors diversity. We honor the dignity of every human being, and we respect and value differences including but not limited to socioeconomics, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, and family composition. Our community is committed to ongoing dialogue, education, and reflection to develop understanding and inclusion of every member.

Experience WCDS

Schedule a School Tour or Classroom Visit

Observe our curious and engaged students and teachers in their classrooms and throughout our spacious campus with its grass playing field, classroom courtyard, and outdoor amphitheater. Sit in on classes that give great attention to a curriculum that matches the optimum times for learning within a child’s first ten years.

Upcoming PLAYgroup Events

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